Yonkers activist slugged by cop awarded $50K to settle lawsuit against city

A Yonkers activist who was punched by a cop and arrested after a raucous meeting at City Hall was awarded $50,000 to settle his federal lawsuit against the city and several police officers.

The settlement with Hector Santiago was approved by District Judge Nelson Roman in White Plains on July 19, according to court records, and was first reported this week by the TV station News12. Santiago couldn't be reached for comment when contacted on Friday.

What led to the incident after Yonkers City Council meeting?

The case stemmed from a rowdy gathering in November 2022, when the City Council voted to extend mayoral term limits to four from three so Mayor Mike Spano could run for a fourth term. Santiago was standing with his arm in a sling in the audience when police led him out of the chambers and into the hall, where an officer tried to take him by the arm and then punched him in the face, as surveillance videos showed.

What happened to Santiago’s case after Yonkers punching incident?

Police charged Santiago with resisting arrest and other offenses, but their case gradually crumbled and ended with his being found not guilty of the sole remaining violation after his trial in July 2023 . Santiago, who had been forced to make 20 trips to court and said he lost his job due to missed work days, sued two months after his acquittal , accusing police of using excessive force and falsely arresting and imprisoning him.

The conflict was a turnabout for an activist known for promoting warm relations between the police and the community. Santiago, a former gang member, had started the "Stop and Shake" program to build trust by having officers greet civilians with handshakes.

Santiago sues: Trial cleared Yonkers activist who was punched in face by cop. Now he's suing the police

As part of the settlement, the court dismissed Santiago's claims against Detective Russell Kilgore — the officer who punched him — and five other detectives allegedly involved in his removal from the council chambers and subsequent arrest.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Yonkers activist slugged by cop awarded $50K to settle lawsuit against city